As announced by Hon Carmel Sepuloni, Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage at the 2022 Pacific Music Awards ceremony in early August, the Government will extend the Aotearoa Touring Programme through until June 2023.

It is part of the Manatū Taonga Ministry of Culture & Heritage-led Arts & Culture Covid Recovery Programme, which is focused on the recovery, regeneration and revitalisation of the cultural sector. 

The programme which initially concluded in June 2022, supports the reinvigoration of the live music sector to assist in the recovery from the effects of Covid 19 in the domestic touring market. It contributes to national touring costs to enable local artists to grow sustainable careers and increase access to live music for local audiences.

Managed by the NZ Music Commission, the Aotearoa Touring Programme is a matched investment scheme, where artists (or their representatives) can apply for 50% of eligible costs for a local tour. The focus is on projects which will take original, live local music to regions and audiences across Aotearoa. 

Minister Sepuloni said, “Performers, crew and the music industry told us clearly that the Aotearoa Touring Programme has been incredibly successful in supporting domestic talent to tour the country. Further support is needed to help restore vitality to our music scene and we’re taking action by directly responding to that need.

“Extending the Aotearoa Touring Programme assists the ongoing recovery of domestic music touring and supports a thriving hospitality sector. The Programme has a focus on tours that reach beyond the main cities into the regions so that all New Zealanders can experience the magic of live performance.”

Updated August 23:

In a further update of the Covid relief support package extra assistance has been made available for Aotearoa Touring Programme-supported shows. Existing Tier 1 & Tier 2 recipients will be able to to claim 100% of the approved costs incurred for shows that have been cancelled or postponed due to a key member of the performing artists contracting Covid-19 from June 1st 2022. 

A rescheduling contribution is also now being offered. This will be a flat payment of $100 per cancelled or postponed Tier 1 show, and $300 per cancelled or postponed show for Tier 2, with both Tiers capped at $2,000 per tour. There is no limit on the number of times a rescheduling contribution can be applied for. Each time a tour is cancelled or dates rescheduled an application for a rescheduling contribution can be submitted.

Further details and updated eligibility criteria will be published on the NZMC website. Contact the Music Commission via: touring@nzmusic.org.nz